Confederate Passover

Following is a letter written by a
Jewish Confederate soldier, Isaac J. Levy (pictured
at left) of the 46th Virginia Infantry, from camp in
Adams Run South Carolina, describing to his sister
how he and his brother Ezekiel ("Zeke") (pictured at
right) observed Passover during the Civil War

Adams Run
April 24th, 1864

Dear Leonora

No doubt you were much surprised on receiving a letter from me addressed to
our dear parents dated on the 21st inst which was the first day of פסח
[Pesach]. [note from LMB: Orthodox Jews are prohibited from writing on
Sabbath or a festival] We were all under the impression in camp that the first
day of the festival was the 22nd and if my memory serves me right I think that
Ma wrote me that Pesach was on the 22nd inst. Zeke [Isaac's brother Capt.
Ezekiel J. Levy of the 46th VA] was somewhat astonished on arriving in
Charleston on Wednesday afternoon, to learn that that was the first סדר
[Seder] night. He purchased מצות
[Matzot] sufficient to last us for the week.
The cost is somewhat less than in Richmond, being but two dollars per pound.
[For point of reference, Matzah in New York City was then 6 cents a pound. LMB]
We are observing the festival in a truly Orthodox style. On the first day we had
a fine vegetable soup. It was made of a bunch of vegetables which Zeke brought
from Charleston containing new onions, parsley, carrots turnips and a young
cauliflower also a pound and a half of fresh [kosher] beef, the latter article
sells for four dollars per pound in Charleston. Zeke E. did not bring us any
meat from home. He brought some of his own, smoked meat, which he is sharing
with us, he says that he supposes that Pa forgot to deliver it to him.

No news in the section at present. Troops from Florida are passing over the road
enroute for Richmond. 'Tis probable that we will remain in this department and were it not
for the unhealthy season which is approaching, would be well satisfied to remain here.

We received this morning Sarah's letter of the 18th inst. [Sarah Levy, Isaac's sister]
and are truly sorry to hear that her sight is affected and that in a few days she will
have recovered entirely her perfect sight. [Sarah Levy recovered from her eye problems and
after the war married her sweetheart Cpl. Edwin
Kursheedt, of the Louisiana Washington Artillery.]